Wheeled luggage and associated devices

ABSTRACT

A luggage article including first rollers and selectively deployable or nondeployable second rollers. The luggage article includes a handle that is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The user can selectively deploy or not deploy the second rollers even when the handle is in the extended position. An improved detent device and also an improved caster system are also disclosed. Also, a wheeled panel mechanism by itself for use not only with luggage but also other articles such as carts, dollies and baby carriages, is disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The inventions disclosed herein concern improvements in wheeledluggage and associated devices. Conventionally, wheeled luggage includesone or more wheels integral with the frame of the luggage. A retractableor foldable handle is provided to allow the luggage to be pushed orpulled along the ground. This alleviates the need for the user to carryand thus support the entire weight of the luggage.

[0002] In order to provide further stability and support to the luggage,a retractable panel has been provided which includes an extra wheel ortwo. The retractable panel is automatically deployed by pulling up onthe handle. The extra wheels can be casters in order to increase themaneuverability of the luggage. Examples of such items are disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,519,919 and 5,568,848.

[0003] One major disadvantage of the devices disclosed in the above twomentioned patents is that the retractable panel including the extrawheel or wheels is automatically deployed upon pulling up of the handle.Thus, even when the extra stability and support of the extra wheel(s) isnot needed, the retractable panel is deployed. There is no way to usethe luggage with the handle in an extended state while at the same timenot deploying the retractable panel.

[0004] What is needed, therefore, are improvements in wheeled luggagewhich overcome the above noted disadvantages of the prior art as well asother improvements in the detent systems for the handle, the casterdisposed on the retractable panel and pushbutton mechanisms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The luggage article of the invention satisfies theabove-mentioned needs as well as others. The luggage article includes astorage compartment and first rolling means projecting from the storagecompartment. A wheeled panel mechanism is provided which includes apivotably mounted panel, the panel having second rolling means.Operatively associated with the wheeled panel mechanism is a handlewhich is movable between a retracted position and an extended position.The luggage article finally includes means for selective deployment ornondeployment of the second rolling means when the handle is moved fromthe retracted position to the extended position. In this way, the userhas a choice to use or not use the second rolling means even when thehandle is in an extended position.

[0006] An improved detent means and improved caster system for thesecond rolling means are also disclosed. A wheeled panel mechanismitself for use not only with luggage but also other articles, such ascarts, dollies and baby carriages is also provided. An improvedpushbutton device is also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0007] A full understanding of the invention can be gained from thefollowing detailed description of the invention when read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a luggage article, partiallycutaway, showing the wheeled panel mechanism of the invention with thehandle in a retracted position and the wheeled panel mechanism in anondeployed position.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a luggage article, partiallycutaway, showing the handle in an extended position and the wheeledpanel mechanism in a nondeployed position.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a luggage article, partiallycutaway, showing the handle in an extended position and the wheeledpanel mechanism in a deployed position.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view showing thewheeled panel mechanism.

[0012]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the handle means.

[0013]FIG. 6 is a perspective view, partially cutaway, of the handlemeans in the extended position.

[0014]FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 only showing when thepushbutton is pushed and the detent is moved.

[0015]FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 only showing the handle beingpushed down towards the retracted position.

[0016]FIG. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views of another embodiment ofthe pushbutton.

[0017]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the wheeled panel mechanism byitself in its deployed state.

[0018]FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 only showing the wheeled panelmechanism being partially closed.

[0019]FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIGS. 9 and 10 only showing thewheeled panel mechanism being fully closed.

[0020]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG.1.

[0021]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG.2.

[0022]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0023]FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG.3.

[0024]FIG. 16 is a side elevational view, partially in section, showingthe caster of the invention in a storage position.

[0025]FIG. 17 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of acaster of the invention bearing on a surface.

[0026]FIG. 18 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of thecaster with its wheel lifted off of the ground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Referring more particular to FIGS. 1-3, the basic concept of oneof the inventions disclosed herein will be discussed. A luggage article20 is shown. The luggage article 20 includes, in this embodiment, aunitary frame or gusset 22 made of plastic. A fabric covering (notshown) can be used to create the storage compartment 24 for the luggagearticle 20. It will be appreciated that the invention herein can also beused with so-called “hard-sided” luggage, in addition to the soft-sided(or gussetted) luggage shown. Broadly, the luggage article 20 includeshandle means 26 which includes a pair of spaced apart male tubingmembers 28 and 30 which are joined together at the top by a grippingportion 32. The male tubing members 28 and 30 engage into female tubes40 and 42. It will be appreciated that the male tubing members 28 and 30and the gripping portion 32 can be moved from a retracted position, asshown in FIG. 1 to an extended portion as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0028]FIG. 2 shows the luggage article 20 with the handle means 26 in anextended position. In this position, the luggage article 20 can berolled along a surface by means of first rolling means shown here as apair of spaced apart wheels 44 and 46. The design and positioning ofthese wheels are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 3, the luggage article 20 is also shown withthe handle means 26 extended. A wheeled panel mechanism 50, which willbe discussed in much greater detail below, is provided which includessecond rolling means, in this case unique and novel casters 52 and 54,mounted by means of a caster support bar 55 to a pivotably mounted panel56 of the wheeled panel mechanism 50 (see FIG. 3). The wheeled panelmechanism 50 provides greater support for the luggage article 20 andallows the luggage article 20 to be more easily pushed by the user.

[0030] In accordance with the invention, the luggage article 20 includesmeans for selective deployment or nondeployment of the second rollingmeans 52, 54 of the luggage article when the handle means 26 is movedfrom the retracted position (FIG. 1) to the extended position (FIGS. 2and 3). The advantage of the luggage article 20 of the invention isthat, in contrast to prior art luggage articles, the user has a choiceof whether or not to deploy the wheeled panel mechanism 50 when thehandle means 26 is extended. Thus, for example, when the user only needsto use the first rolling means 44, 46, such as when the load is light orwhen it is desired to move the luggage article 20 in close quarters, thewheeled panel mechanism 50 does not have to be deployed when the handlemeans 26 is extended. Conversely, when the wheeled panel mechanism 50 isreally needed, such as when the load is heavy or when it is desired tostack other items on the luggage article 20, the wheeled panel mechanism50 can be deployed to create a luggage cart.

[0031] Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 4-15, one embodiment ofthe invention for accomplishing the broad concept of the invention willbe discussed. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention canencompass other means, not shown, for allowing the selective deploymentor nondeployment of the second rolling means (casters 52 and 54) whichare mounted to the pivotably mounted panel 56.

[0032] Referring now specifically to FIG. 4, with reference generally toFIGS. 1-3, the wheeled panel mechanism 50 is preferably a modularcomponent which can be attached separately to an existing luggagearticle. A framing member 60 is attached to the female tubing members 40and 42. The wheeled panel mechanism 50 is then attached to the framingmember 60 and secured thereto by fastening means, such as rivets 63, 64,65 and 66. The construction and operation of the wheeled panel mechanism50 will be discussed in detail below.

[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, the handle means 26 will be explainedin greater detail. The handle means 26 includes the male tubing members28, 30 which are slidingly engaged in the female tubing members 40, 42.The female tubing members 40, 42 include openings 40 a, 42 a andlongitudinal slots 40 b, 42 b. The purpose of the longitudinal slots 40b, 42 b will be explained below. The free end of each of the male tubingmembers 28 and 30 encloses the detent housing 70, 71 which contains thedetent 72, 73 of the invention. The detent 72, 73 includes a channel 74,75 and a rounded opening 76, 77. Cable 78, 79 has one end 78 a, 79 aconnected to the detent 72, 73 as shown in FIG. 5. The other end 78 b,79 b of the cable 78, 79 is connected to a tab 80, 81 movably mounted toa lower portion 84 of the gripping portion 32. The tab 80, 81 has anengagement opening 80 a, 81 a including a sloped pilot surface 80 b, 81b. A push button 90 is provided that is movably mounted into an opening92 in upper portion 93 of the gripping portion 32. The push button 90has a first projection 94 with a sloped pilot surface 94 a and a secondprojection 95 with a sloped pilot surface 95 a. The push button 90 isbiased upwardly by means of spring 96. Each of the tabs 80, 81 includesa toothed projection portion 98, 99 that is meshingly engaged with around gear 100 rotatably mounted to the lower portion 84 of the grippingportion 32.

[0034] The detent 72, 73 has the general shape shown in FIG. 5 andincludes a top flat section 102, 103; a sloped section 104, 105; avertical section 106, 107; a bottom flat section 108, 109; a lockdowndevice engagement section 110, 111; an intermediate horizontal section112, 113 and an outside vertical section 114, 115. A portion 120, 121 ofthe detent 72, 73 extends beyond the outer surface 122, 123 of the maletubing members 28, 30.

[0035] Also provided in the female tubing members 40, 42 are lockdowndevices 130, 131. These lockdown devices 130, 131 include projections132, 133 having a detent mechanism engagement portion 134, 135 includinga sloped pilot surface 136, 137 which act as detent engaging portions.The lockdown device 130, 131 includes a spring 138, 139. The projection132, 133 also includes a slider mechanism engagement portion 132 a, 133a. The operation of the lockdown device 130, 131 will be discussed belowin further detail with respect to FIGS. 12-15.

[0036] Referring now particularly to FIGS. 6-8, the operation of thedetent 72, 73 vis-a-vis the handle 26 will be explained. In FIG. 6, thehandle 26 is shown in its extended position (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In thisposition, the extension portion 120, 121 of the detent 72, 73 extendsinto the openings 40 a, 42 a in the female tubing 40, 42. In thisposition, it will be appreciated that the male tubing 28, 30 is lockedinto the female tubing 40, 42. If it is desired to move the handle 26 toa retracted position (FIG. 1), the pushbutton 90 is depressed, thusrotating the detent 72, 73 out of the openings 40 a, 42 as can be seenin FIG. 7.

[0037] It will be appreciated that when the pushbutton 90 is depressed,the pilot surface 94 a, 95 a of the first and second projections 94 and95 engage against the sloped pilot surfaces 80 b, 81 b of the tabs 80,81 thus causing the tabs 80, 81 to move towards each other by means oftoothed projection portions 98, 99 meshingly engaging with the roundgear 100 (see FIG. 5). This will pull the cables 78, 79 (moving thecables in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 7) and thus pivot thedetent 72, 73 out of the opening 40 a, 42 a as shown in FIG. 7. Thiswill allow the male tubing 28, 30 to be pushed downwardly into thefemale tubing 40, 42. Once the detent 72, 73 clears the opening 40 a, 42a, the pushbutton 90 can be released, and the detent 72, 73 will contactthe inner surface 40 c, 42 c of the female tubing 40, 42 as shown inFIG. 8. Due to the design and configuration of the detent 72, 73, themale tubing 28, 30 can slide downwardly in the female tubing 40, 42.

[0038]FIGS. 8A and 8B show an alternate embodiment of the pushbuttonmechanism. In this embodiment, a pair of camming means 140, 141 areprovided to which the cables 78′ and 79′ are attached. The pushbutton142 includes two projections 144, 145 which engage against the cammingmeans 140, 141 when pushed down, causing the camming means 140, 141 torotate about pivot point 146, 147. This in turn will draw the cable 78′,79′ inward and thus rotate the detent, as in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 5-8. The pushbutton 142 is biased in the non-engaged position byspring 148.

[0039] The above detent design is a unique invention in and of itselfand can be used with any retractable handle for a luggage article,whether having a wheeled panel mechanism or not. In fact, the detentdesign can be used for any item having an extendable handle, such as adolly or a baby carriage. However, the detent design is especiallyadvantageous when used in connection with the unique wheeled panelmechanism 50 of the invention, as will be explained in further detailbelow.

[0040] The wheeled panel mechanism 50 of the invention is shown apartfrom the luggage article in FIG. 9. As was explained above, themechanism 50 is a modular component which can be attached separately toan existing luggage article or to any other carrying article such as adolly, cart or baby carriage. The mechanism 50 is connected to a framingmember 60 that is itself attached to the female tubing members 40, 42 aswas seen in FIG. 4.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 9, the wheeled panel mechanism 50 includesa body portion 150, a pivotably mounted panel 56 (shown in phantom forthe sake of clarity) including casters 52, 54 mounted to caster bar 55and linkage means 152 connecting the body portion 150 to the pivotablymounted panel 56. The linkage means 152 consists of a first link 156 anda second link 158. The first link 156 is pivotably mounted to the panel56 and the second link 158 whereas the second link 158 is pivotablymounted to the body portion 150 and the first link 156. A first spring160 is disposed at the joining point of the panel 56 and the first link156 and a second spring 162 is disposed at the joining point of the bodyportion 150 and the second link 158. The springs will aid in thedeployment of the panel 56 as will be explained below. In addition, aroller 166 is provided at the joining point of first link 156 and secondlink 158.

[0042] The wheeled panel mechanism 50 further includes a slidermechanism 170. The slider mechanism 170 includes a pair of arms 172, 174that extend away from a central roller 176. The ends of the arms 172,174 include extension portions 177 and 178, respectively which extendedthrough the slots 40 b and 42 b in female tubing members 40 and 42 (notshown in FIG. 9).

[0043] The body portion 150 includes a pair of spaced apart rollers 180and 182, with central roller 166 being disposed intermediate thereof. Abelt 184 has one end 184 a attached to the pivotably mounted panel 56and a second end 184 b attached to the body portion 150. Taking it fromend 184 a, the belt 184 is threaded through an opening 156 a in firstlink 156, over roller 166 and threaded back through an opening 158 a insecond link 158. From there, the belt 184 is threaded under roller 182,under central roller 176, over roller 180 and then over central roller176 of the slider mechanism 170. The belt end 184 b is then attached tothe body portion.

[0044]FIGS. 10 and 11 show how the movement of the slider mechanismpivots the panel 56 so that the wheeled mechanism 50 can be placed in anondeployed state. As can be seen in FIG. 10, once the slider mechanism170 is moved downwardly by the detent housing 70, 71 pushing down on theextensions 177, 178 which extend into the female tubing 40, 42 (as willbe explained in detail with respect to FIGS. 12-15), the belt 184 ispulled by central roller thus pulling the belt 184 and drawing the firstlink 156 inward, causing the first link 156 and second link 158 to foldup on each other. Continuing to move the slider mechanism 170 downwardwill fold up flat the first and second links 156 and 158 so that theywill be disposed in the body portion 150 with panel 56 overlying them,as shown in FIG. 11.

[0045] Now that the handle 26 and the wheeled panel mechanism 50 havebeen explained, the cooperation therebetween in order to achieve one ofthe objects of the invention will now be explained with reference to thecross-sectional views shown in FIGS. 12-15 below. In thesecross-sectional views the belt 184 and other parts are not shown inorder to increase the clarity of the drawings.

[0046]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG.1, which shows the handle 26 in its retracted position and the wheeledpanel mechanism 50 in its nondeployed position. As can be seen in FIG.12, the extension 177, 178 of the arm 172, 174 of the slider mechanism170 extends into the hollow female tubing member 40, 42 through slots 40b and 42 b and also engages against, and is locked down to the lockdowndevice 130, 131 by means of the extension 177, 178 engaging against theslider mechanism engagement portion 132 a, 133 a of the projection 132,133. The slider mechanism 170 is biased against springs 138, 139 of thelockdown device 130, 131.

[0047] If it is desired to extend the handle means 26 without deployingthe wheeled panel mechanism 50 (FIG. 2) the male tubing 28, 30 is merelyslid upwardly in the female tubing 40, 42 as is shown in FIG. 13. Itwill be appreciated that the slider mechanism 170 remains locked down tothe lockdown device 130, 131 thus preventing the deployment of thewheeled panel mechanism 50.

[0048] If it is desired to extend the handle means 26 and deploy thewheeled panel mechanism 50 (FIG. 3), the pushbutton 90 is pushed, andthe detent 72, 73 is rotated as is shown in FIG. 14. This action willcause the detent 72, 73 to engage against the sloped pilot surface ordetent engaging portions 136, 137 of the projection 132, 133 and rotatethe projections 132, 133 away from the extension 177, 178, thusunlocking the slider mechanism 170 from the lockdown device 130, 131 andcausing it to move upwardly as shown by arrows on FIG. 14. Thecombination of the springs 138, 139′ along with the springs 160, 162 onthe linkage means 152 will cause the wheeled panel mechanism toautomatically deploy when the slider mechanism 170 is unlocked from thelockdown devices 130, 131 and thus moves upwardly as is shown in FIG.15.

[0049] When it is desired to retract the handle 26, the male tubing 28,30 is pushed downwardly which causes the detent housing 70, 71 to engageagainst the extension 177, 178 of the slider mechanism, thus moving theentire sliding mechanism downwardly until the extension is again lockeddown onto lockdown device (FIG. 12).

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 16-18, the novel and unique caster of theinvention will be discussed. Referring particularly to FIG. 16, a caster200 is shown associated with a retractable portion 202, such as aretractable panel similar to pivotably mounted panel 56 of the wheeledpanel mechanism 50 shown in FIG. 3, for example. The retractable portion202 is shown partially in section in FIGS. 16-18 in order to illustratethe invention. The caster 200 is shown retracted into a cavity 204 of anitem 205, such as wheeled panel mechanism 50, for storage purposes. Oneof the advantages of the design of the caster 200, which will beexplained in detail below, is that the caster 200, when retracted andstored, fits better into the cavity 204.

[0051] The caster 200 consists of a wheel 210, a wheel frame 212 and aswivel 214. The swivel 214 includes a rod 216 including a cross pin 217extending therefrom into guiding means 218 formed in the retractableportion 202. The wheel frame 212 connects the swivel 214 to the wheel210 and is pivotably mounted to the swivel 214 by a pair of connectors220, 222. Wheel 210 includes an axle 223 having each of its ends axiallyrotatably mounted to the wheel frame 212, as can be seen in FIG. 17.Retractable portion 202 also includes biasing means, in this embodimenta spring 224, having one end secured to the wall 226 of the retractableportion 202 and having another end bearing against the top surface ofrod 216. The spring 224 biases the caster into a storage positionwherein the cross pin 217 engages into the V-shaped guiding means 218,and so that a gap 228 is formed between the swivel 214 and the bottomsurface 202 a of the retractable portion 202.

[0052] Referring now to FIG. 17, when the retractable portion 202 ismoved from the storage position shown in FIG. 16 and the wheel 210 bearsagainst a surface 230, the entire caster 200 is pushed upwardly againstthe bias of the spring 224, shown by arrow A. This, in turn, allows thecross pin 217 to move out of the V-shaped guiding means 218. Now, theswivel 214 is able to freely rotate about its vertical axis 240 a full360°. This is advantageous when the caster 200 bears on surface 230 inthat the caster 200 can aid movement of the item on which it is disposed(such as a luggage article) in any desired direction. It will also beappreciated that the cross pin 217 prevents the caster 200 from becomingdisengaged from the retractable portion 202.

[0053] It will be appreciated that it is desired, once the retractableportion 202 is retracted for storage as shown in FIG. 16, that thecaster 200 assume a predetermined position for efficient, space-savingstorage. Referring to FIG. 18, once the caster 200 is lifted off of thesurface 230, the spring 224 will bias the caster 200 downwardly, asshown by arrow B, thus forcing the rod 216 and cross pin 217 downwardly.This will cause the cross pin 217 to engage against the V-shaped guidingmeans 218, which will force the cross pin 217 and thus the entire caster200 to rotate on its vertical axis 240 to the predetermined position asdictated by the construction and arrangement of the guiding means 218and which is desired based on the design of the item and/or retractableportion to which the caster is mounted. Of course, if the caster isalready in its predetermined position when the wheel 210 is lifted offof the ground, there will be no rotation of the caster 200. In this way,whenever the wheel 210 is lifted off of the ground, the caster 200 willassume a predetermined position having a particular desired orientationfor efficient storage of the caster 200.

[0054] It will be appreciated that although the caster 200 is shown on aretractable portion 202, the invention is not so limited and the casterdesign disclosed can be used on any item, having a retractable portionor not, where it is desired to use a caster having free range of motionwhile its wheel is on a surface, but which is desired to assume apredetermined position having a particular desired orientation when itswheel is lifted off of the surface.

[0055] Referring back to FIG. 16, it will be seen that the wheel frame212 of the caster 200 is designed to pivot about a pivot point P inorder to further efficiently store the caster 200 into the cavity 204,as shown by arrow C.

[0056] While specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed,it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and alterations to those details could be developed inlight of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, theparticular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only andnot limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given thefull breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A luggage article comprising: a storagecompartment; a first rolling means projecting from said storagecompartment; a wheeled panel mechanism including a pivotably mountedpanel, said panel having second rolling means; a handle operativelyassociated with said wheeled panel mechanism, said handle being movablebetween a retracted position and an extended position; and means forselective deployment or nondeployment of said second rolling means whensaid handle is moved from said retracted position to said extendedposition.
 2. The luggage article of claim 1, wherein said wheeled panelmechanism includes a body portion and linkage means connecting said bodyportion to said pivotably mounted panel.
 3. The luggage article of claim2, wherein said means for selective deployment or nondeployment of saidsecond rolling means includes: detent means operatively associated withsaid handle; a slider mechanism movable in said body portion, saidslider mechanism causing movement of said pivotably mounted panelbetween a deployed position where said second roller means are deployedand a nondeployed position where said second roller means are notdeployed; and a lockdown device for locking said slider mechanism sothat said pivotably mounted panel remains in said nondeployed positionwhen said handle is moved from said retracted position to said extendedposition, said detent means being operatively associated with saidlockdown device in order to unlock said slider mechanism therefrom sothat said slider mechanism can move and cause movement of said pivotablymounted panel from said nondeployed position to said deployed position.4. The luggage article of claim 3, wherein said handle includes a pairof spaced apart female tubes secured to a frame of said storagecompartment; and a pair of male tubes, each of which is slidinglyengaged in respective female tubes, said male tubes being joined by agripping portion at one end thereof and having free ends opposite saidgripping portion.
 5. The luggage article of claim 4, wherein said detentmeans includes: a detent mechanism disposed in said free end of each ofsaid male tubes, said detent mechanism including a detent housing and amovable detent disposed in said detent housing; a button mounted in saidgripping portion; and first and second cables connecting said button tosaid respective movable detents such that movement of said button causescorresponding movement of both of said movable detents.
 6. The luggagearticle of claim 5, wherein said female tubes each include alongitudinal slot, said slider mechanism having opposed portions whichengage into each said respective longitudinal slot, said detent housingengaging respective said opposed portions of said slider mechanism,whereby movement of said male tubes in said female tubes can causecorresponding movement of said slider mechanism in said body portion. 7.The luggage article of claim 6, wherein each of said female tubesincludes a separate lockdown device mounted therein, each said lockdowndevice including a projection, said projection having a slider mechanismengagement portion and a detent engagement portion, said opposedportions of said slider mechanism engaging against said respectiveslider mechanism engagement portions when said slider mechanism islocked; said movable detent engaging against said detent engagementportion and moving said projection in order to unlock said slidermechanism from said lockdown device when said pushbutton is engaged inorder to move said detent.
 8. The luggage article of claim 7, whereineach said lockdown device includes a spring that biases said respectiveopposed portions of said slider mechanism against said respective slidermechanism engagement portions; and said linkage means includes at leastone spring that biases said pivotably mounted panel into said deployedposition, whereby unlocking said slider mechanism will automaticallymove said pivotably mounted panel into said deployed position.
 9. Theluggage article of claim 8, including a belt having a first end attachedto said body portion and a second end attached to said linkage means,said belt being operatively associated with said slider mechanism sothat movement of said slider mechanism causes movement of said linkagemeans.
 10. The luggage article of claim 9, including said slidermechanism includes a first roller; a second roller mounted to said bodyportion; a third roller spaced apart from said second roller and alsomounted to said body portion; and said belt engaging against said first,second and third rollers in order to translate movement of said slidermechanism to movement of said pivotably mounted panel in order to movesaid pivotably mounted panel between said deployed position and saidnondeployed position.
 11. The luggage article of claim 10, wherein saidlinkage means includes a first link and a second link, said first linkis pivotably mounted to said panel and said second link and said secondlink is pivotably mounted to said first link and said body portion,whereby when said pivotably mounted panel is in said nondeployedposition, said first and second links fold on top of each other and aredisposed in a cavity formed by said body portion with said panel beingoverlaid thereon.
 12. The luggage article of claim 5, wherein each ofsaid female tubes includes an opening, said movable detent beingconstructed to automatically engage into said opening when said handleis moved from said retracted position to said extended position thuslocking said handle into said extended position; and said movable detentdisengages from said opening thus unlocking said handle in order to movesaid handle away from said extended position, said movable detent beingdisengaged when said button is moved.
 13. The luggage article of claim5, wherein said button includes: a housing; a first tab and a second tabmovably mounted in said housing, said first cable being attached to saidfirst tab and said second cable being attached to said second cable; anda pushbutton operatively associated with said first tab and said secondtab, whereby movement of said pushbutton causes responsive movement ofsaid tabs and thus said cables in order to move said movable detents.14. The luggage article of claim 13, wherein said tabs each includeengagement openings formed therein, said engagement openings including asloped pilot surface; said pushbutton includes a first projection havinga pilot surface and a second projection having a pilot surface, saidpilot surfaces of said projections engaging against said pilot surfacesof said engagement openings taken said pushbutton is pushed in so thatsaid tabs are drawn towards each other in order to move said cables andthus said movable detents.
 15. The luggage article of claim 14,including a pushbutton spring biasing said pushbutton in a firstposition wherein said movable detent projects from said male tube. 16.The luggage article of claim 5, wherein said button is a spring biasedpushbutton which engages a camming means when said pushbutton is pusheddown, said camming means rotating about a pivot point and causingresponsive movement of said cable.
 17. The luggage article of claim 1,wherein said second roller means is a caster.
 18. The luggage article ofclaim 17, wherein said caster comprises: a caster frame rotatablyattached to said wheeled panel mechanism; a wheel axially rotatablymounted to said caster frame, said wheel having an axis of rotationgenerally perpendicular to an axis of rotation of said caster frame; andsaid caster frame being (i) freely rotatable about its axis of rotationwhen said wheel bears against a surface and (ii) oriented in apredetermined position when said wheel is not bearing against saidsurface.
 19. The luggage article of claim 18, wherein said wheeled panelmechanism includes guiding means, a portion of said caster frame beingguided by said guiding means when said wheel is lifted from said surfaceso as to position said caster frame in said predetermined position. 20.The caster of claim 19, wherein said caster frame includes a rodextending from said wheel through said guiding means, said rod includinga pin; and said guiding means being constructed and arranged for guidingsaid pin to orient said wheel and said wheel frame in said predeterminedposition.
 21. The caster of claim 20, wherein said guiding means has aV-shape cross-section for guiding said pin.
 22. The caster of claim 21,wherein said retractable portion includes a biasing means to bias saidwheel and said caster frame into said predetermined position when saidwheel is not bearing against said surface.
 23. The caster of claim 18,wherein said caster frame includes (i) a swivel and (ii) a wheel frameconnecting said swivel with said wheel, said wheel frame being pivotablymounted to said swivel so that when said retractable portion is stored,said wheel and said caster frame can be positioned so as to occupy lessspace than a wheel and caster frame without said pivotably mountedplate.
 24. A wheeled panel mechanism for use in association with anarticle including a handle movable between a retracted position and anextended position, said wheeled panel mechanism including a pivotablymounted panel having a rolling means, said rolling means beingselectively deployed or not deployed when said handle is moved from saidretracted position.
 25. The mechanism of claim 24, wherein said wheeledpanel mechanism includes a body portion and linkage means connectingsaid body portion to said pivotably mounted panel.
 26. The mechanism ofclaim 25, wherein said wheeled panel mechanism includes a slidermechanism movable in said body portion, said slider mechanism causingmovement of said pivotably mounted panel between a deployed positionwhere said rolling means are deployed and a nondeployed position wheresaid rolling means are not deployed.
 27. The mechanism of claim 26,including a belt having a first end attached to said body portion and asecond end attached to said linkage means, said belt being operativelyassociated with said slider mechanism so that movement of said slidermechanism causes movement of said linkage means.
 28. The mechanism ofclaim 27, including said slider mechanism includes a first roller; asecond roller mounted to said body portion; a third roller spaced apartfrom said second roller and also mounted to said body portion; and saidbelt engaging against said first, second and third rollers in order totranslate movement of said slider mechanism to movement of saidpivotably mounted panel in order to move said pivotably mounted panelbetween said deployed position and said nondeployed position.
 29. Themechanism of claim 28, including said linkage means includes a firstlink and a second link, said first link is pivotably mounted to saidpanel and said second link and said second link is pivotably mounted tosaid first link and said body portion, whereby when said pivotablymounted panel is in said nondeployed position, said first and secondlinks fold on top of each other and are disposed in a cavity formed bysaid body portion with said panel being overlaid thereon.
 30. A luggagearticle including a handle movable from a retracted position to anextended position, said handle including detent means comprising: adetent mechanism including a detent housing and a movable detent; abutton mounted in said handle; and a cable connecting said button tosaid detent such that movement of said button causes correspondingmovement of said movable detent which in turn permits movement of saidhandle from said extended position to said retracted position.
 31. Theluggage article of claim 30, wherein said handle includes a pair ofspaced apart female tubes secured to a frame of said luggage article;and a pair of male tubes, each of which is slidingly engaged inrespective female tubes, said male tubes being joined by a grippingportion at one end thereof and each having a free end opposite saidgripping portion.
 32. The luggage article of claim 31, wherein each ofsaid female tubes includes an opening, said detent being constructed toautomatically engage into said opening when said handle is moved fromsaid retracted position to said extended position thus locking saidhandle into said extended position; and said detent disengages from saidopening thus unlocking said handle in order to move said handle awayfrom said extended position, said detent being disengaged when saidbutton is moved.
 33. The luggage article of claim 30, wherein saidbutton is a spring biased pushbutton which engages a camming means whensaid pushbutton is pushed down, said camming means rotating about apivot point and causing responsive movement of said cable.
 34. A casterfor an item including a retractable portion, said caster comprising: acaster frame attached to said retractable portion; a wheel rotatablymounted to said caster frame; and said wheel and said caster frame being(i) freely rotatable about an axis of rotation generally perpendicularto an axis of rotation of said wheel mounted in said caster frame whensaid wheel bears against a surface and (ii) oriented in a predeterminedposition when said wheel is not bearing against said surface.
 35. Thecaster of claim 34, wherein said retractable portion including guidingmeans, a portion of said caster frame being guided by said guiding meanswhen said wheel is lifted from said surface so as to position saidcaster frame in said predetermined position.
 36. The caster of claim 35,wherein said caster frame includes a rod extending from said wheelthrough said guiding means, said rod including a pin; and said guidingmeans being constructed and arranged for guiding said pin to orient saidwheel and said wheel frame in said predetermined position.
 37. Thecaster of claim 36, wherein said guiding means has a V-shapecross-section for guiding said pin.
 38. The caster of claim 37, whereinsaid retractable portion includes a biasing means to bias said wheel andsaid caster frame into said predetermined position when said wheel isnot bearing against said surface.
 39. The caster of claim 34, whereinsaid caster frame includes (i) a swivel and (ii) a wheel frameconnecting said swivel with said wheel, said wheel frame being pivotablymounted to said swivel so that when said retractable portion is stored,said wheel and said caster frame can be positioned so as to occupy lessspace than a wheel and caster frame without said pivotably mountedplate.
 40. A caster for an item, said caster comprising: a caster framerotatably attached to said item; a wheel axially rotatably mounted tosaid caster frame, said wheel having an axis of rotation generallyperpendicular to an axis of rotation of said caster frame; and saidcaster frame being (i) freely rotatable about its axis of rotation whensaid wheel bears against a surface and (ii) oriented in a predeterminedposition when said wheel is not bearing against said surface.
 41. Thecaster of claim 40, wherein said item includes guiding means, a portionof said caster. frame being guided by said guiding means when said wheelis lifted from said surface so as to position said caster frame in saidpredetermined position.
 42. The caster of claim 41, wherein said casterframe includes a rod extending from said wheel through said guidingmeans, said rod including a pin; and said guiding means beingconstructed and arranged for guiding said pin to orient said wheel andsaid caster frame in said predetermined position.
 43. The caster ofclaim 42, wherein said guiding means has a V-shape cross-section forguiding said pin.
 44. The caster of claim 43, wherein said retractableportion includes a biasing means to bias said wheel and said wheel frameinto said predetermined position when said wheel is not bearing againstsaid surface.
 45. The caster of claim 40, wherein said caster frameincludes (i) a swivel and (ii) a wheel frame connecting said swivel withsaid wheel, said wheel frame being pivotably mounted to said swivel sothat when said retractable portion is stored, said wheel and said casterframe can be positioned so as to occupy less space than a wheel andcaster frame without said pivotably mounted plate.
 46. A pushbuttondevice for a mechanism including a movable detent having attachedthereto a cable, said cable being attached to a camming means, saidpushbutton device including a spring biased pushbutton that engages saidcamming means when said pushbutton is pushed down, said camming meansrotating about a pivot point and causing responsive movement of saidcable and said movable detent.
 47. The device of claim 46, wherein saidincludes a pair of movable detents each having attached thereto aseparate cable, each of said cables being attached to a separate cammingmeans.